Punjab has long been known as the breadbasket of India, but decades of unchecked water usage for irrigation have taken their toll on this northern state's most precious resource – water. On the occasion of India's 78th Independence Day, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann sounded the alarm on Punjab's worsening water situation and called for a movement to save its sinking water tables.
Addressing a gathering in Jalandhar after hoisting the national flag and inspecting the police and security forces parade, Mann highlighted how the state's water levels have fallen dramatically due to the green revolution and overuse of groundwater for agriculture. Pointing out that Punjab gets its name from its five river systems, he said the state is now facing shortages of both surface and groundwater, with levels down to 600 feet in many areas.
To tackle the crisis, the CM said his government has begun reviving old canals, drains and rivulets to maximize the utilization of available canal water. A major new 150 km Malwa canal is also being constructed to irrigate 200,000 acres of land in southern Punjab. However, Mann emphasized that beyond government initiatives, a mass public movement is needed to spread awareness about water conservation and promote more sustainable agricultural practices.
Saving Punjab's water resources will require coordinated efforts from both government policymakers and the state's citizens. With water tables declining at an alarming rate, the Chief Minister's call for a ”movement” to address this crisis could not be timelier. Punjab's future prosperity depends on coming together to protect its most vital but threatened natural asset – water.
